THE co-founder of Specsavers has been announced as a patron of a Saunderton charity.

Dame Mary Perkins has supported Hearing Dogs for Deaf People for a number of years and has now been made a patron.

She visited the HQ in Saunderton and was given a guided tour and met many of the staff and canines in training.

Dame Mary said: "Living with hearing loss can be tough and these wonderful dogs provide so much help and support for their owners.

"I am absolutely delighted to be a patron for such a fantastic charity and look forward to supporting them in my new role. Over the years I’ve seen first-hand the life changing difference hearing dogs make."

Specsavers Hearing Centres have supported Hearing Dogs for Deaf People as a national charity partner for a number of years, raising more than £50,000 for them.

Faith Cark, chairman of the charity, said: "Hearing Dogs is extremely grateful for Dame Mary’s involvement which will bring enormous benefit to the charity and will further the aims of our shared vision to benefit the lives of deaf people."

It is a registered charity that trains dogs to alert people to household sounds and danger signals such as the doorbell, telephone and smoke alarm – providing life-changing independence and confidence.

For more information go to www.hearingdogs.org.uk